Island



(No Model.)

J. MASSEY. HITGHING POST. N0. 458,737.

Patented Sept. 1, 1891.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN MASSEY, OF MANVILLE, RHODE'ISLAND.

HlTCHlNG-POST.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 458,737, datedSeptember 1, 1891.

Application filed April 22, 1891. Serial No. 389,942. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN MASSEY, a citizen of the United States,residing at Manville, in the county of Providence and State of RhodeIsland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inHitching-Posts; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, andexact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilledin the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention has relation to improvements in hitching posts and boxes;and it has for its object to provide a post of a construction adapted toafford a closed receptacle for the hitching chain or strap when not inuse, whereby the same is protected from the weather, &c.

To the attainment of this object the invention consists in theconstruction, novel combination, and adaptation of parts hereinafterdescribed and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of my improvedhitching-post. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal diametrical section of the upperportion thereof the swinging cover being illustrated in an open positionby the dotted lines. Fig. 3 is a similar view taken in a plane at rightangles to that of Fig. 2.

In the said drawings similar letters designate corresponding partsthroughout the several views, referring to which-- A indicates anordinary hitching-post upright, which is preferably of a circularcontour in cross-section.

Formed integral with or suitably mounted upon the upper end of theuprightA is acup or receptacle B, which is preferably of a gen, eralhemispherical form, and is provided in its edge at suitable points withsemicircular notches,forapurposepresentlytobedescribed.

Preferably formed or cast integral with the receptable B is adiametrical vertical partition-wall O,Wl1ich is designed to separate thereceptacle into two compartments, whereby the respective chains orstraps are prevented from becoming tangled or in any way interferingwith each other.

Extending at right angles to the partition 0 are bars D, which arepreferably curved and have one end connected to said partition and theother connected to the bottom of the receptacle, whereby they serve forthe attach ment of one end of the hitching straps or chains, which arepreferably provided with a snafflehook or the like at their oppositeend.

E indicates the cap or cover of my improved post, which is alsopreferably of a general hemispherical form, and is connected to the cupor receptacle B in a hinged manner, as better illustrated at F in Fig. 2of the draw ings. This cap or cover E is provided in its edge, as shown,with semicircular notches, so arranged as to register with those of therecep tacle when the cover is closed, whereby the circular openings areafforded for the passage of the hitching chains or straps.

Connected in a hinged manner to the cover or cap E above the notches inthe edge there of are depending swinging doors G, which are adapted toclose the circular openings to pre vent the entrance of moisture, &c.,when the chains or straps are not in use.

As better illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings, the edges of thereceptacle B and the cover E are preferably recessed, whereby it will beseen that when the cover is closed a tight joint will be effectedbetween the two, as is desirable.

By the construction described it will be seen that when it is desired tohitch a horse it is simply necessary to raise the cap or cover and pullthe free end of the chain out, after which the cover is let down and thechain takes passage through the circular aperture formed by the recessesin the edges of the section.

It is obvious that, if desirable, the receptacle and the cover might beof a rectangular or other suitable form; butI prefer to employ thehemispherical form in their construction, as illustrated and described.It is further 0bvious that if but one hitching chain or strap isemployed the partion 0 might be dispensed with and only one semicircularrecess need be made in the edges of the receptacle and cover, as onlyone passage would be necessary 5 but I prefer to provide the partitionand two or more chains, as the same are obviously desirable.

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure byLetters Patent, 1s-

1. As an article of manufacture, a hitching post having a receptaclefora hitching chain or strap, a cover hinged to the receptacle, and boththe receptacle and cover having notches in their edges atcorrespondingpoints for the passage of the hitching strap or chain, andpassage of the hitching-chains, and hinged hinged doors closing saidrecesses, substanplates ordoors closing said passages, substa11- tiailyas specified. tially as specified.

2. As an article of manufacture, a hitching- In testimony whereof Iaflix my signature in 5 post havingareceptacle for hitching straps orpresence of two witnesses.

chains, a partition dividing the receptacle into T two compartments,means in each compart- JOHL ment for a retaining device, a cover hingedto Vitnesses: the receptacle, said cover and receptacle hav- SAML. P.COOK, IO ing apertures at their meeting edges for the GEO. N. SPAULDING.

